Thermometer case



Jan. 8, 1929. 1,698,377

H. E. STONEBRAKER v THERMOMETER CASE Original Filed Jan. 20, 1926 2 its case in use.

Patented Jan. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES 1,698,377" PATENTOFFICHYF nanonnn. STON-EBRAKER, or noonnsrna, NEW 03k. j

THERMOMETER' CASE.

Application filed January'20,'. 1926, Serial No. 82,483. Renewed October 25, 1928.

This invention relates to a thermometer case, with more partlcular reference tofever thermometers, and has for ts ob ect to provide a permanent housing designed to pre-- 5 vent accidental breakage of a thermometer if dropped while in use.

In its specific aspect, the invention is intended to afford a structure including a case or protective section with relative 1O movement permitted between the case and the thermometer so as to expose the bulb of the latter for use, the arrangement being such as to instantly returnthe case around the thermometer when released.

The practice heretofore has been to carry a fever thermometer in a case, from which it must be entirely removed to be used, and frequent breakage occurs due'to acidentally dropping a thermometer while it is out of breakage offever thermometersruns into thousands of dollars annually, and the pur: pose is to obviate this by so carrying the thermometer that if dropped, either when in use or otherwise, the. thermometer is always within its case by the time it strikes a floor, while at the same time the structure does not interfere with convenient and proper use of the thermometer.

30. Another object of the improvement is to afiord a case that serves as a permanent protective housing for the thermometer, and also serves in place of the conventional type of case from which the thermometer must be removed when put' in use.

These and other advantages and purposes of the invention will be made clear from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, 40 the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the description.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of case incorporating a preferred embodiment of the invention, and with the thermometer inside; r

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the thermometer partially ejected from the case for use;

Figure 3 is an enlarged'sectional view of the structure of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on line 4-4: of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the invention, the movable housing sections being shown The. economic loss fromclosed in full lines and partially open in .dotted lines, and

Figure 6 is a side elevation partly in ing a fixed closure 2 at one end and a screw-. 'threadedcapor cover 3 atthe opposite end.

4: designates the conventional fever thermometer that is suitably retained in amov- I able holder in the case, and to e'lfectthis, the

thermometer may be frictionally carried in a holder 5, while 6 is a spring connecting the holder 5 with the closure 2. I a

Spring 6 acts toretain the holder 5 normally in the position vshown in Figure 1,

with the thermometer entirely within the a case, and to return the holder to such position instantly when the thermometer isreleased. 7 is a finger piece carried by the holder 5, and projecting through a slot- 8 The body of the thermomet'ermay be provided with one or more washers 9 of rubber or similar resilient material acting to center and guide the thermometer during. its

'so in the case, and by means of said finger movement endwise'of the case, the washer being cut-away at 10 to reading of the scale.

permit convenient Normallythe parts are arranged as shown in Figure 1.1 VVhen itis desired to use the thermometer, the threaded cap 3 is removed and the finger piece 7 engaged and moved along the case 1, causing the bulb of the thermometer to v be ejected as shown in Figure 2, so that it can be readily inserted into the mouthof patient and there held. If at any time during use of the thermom-.

eter, it is accidentally dropped by the patient, or by the attendingnurse or doctor while handling it, spring 6 immediately ing part, and in Figure 5 is illustrated a modified arrangement in which the therhad by other conmometer holder" is 1 stationary with reference to the bodywl6 of the case. -17 desigthe case at 18 and" carry finger pieces- 19 ableseetions lfielosedasshown in full lines.

21 is a cover or 021 engageable over the ends of the "sectional ,andwhenremoved, by pressing the. finger pieces 19 "towa rd each other, i as shown in' dottedlines, the sections 71713113, spread -apartsufiicientlyto permit access to the bulb or the thermoiiie'ter. Whemreleased, the sections 17 immediately xelose and protect the 1 thermometer against breaking. g r A furtherpossible-adaption of the. invention isshown-in Figure 6, in Whichthe thermometer is retained in aholder 25 suitably arranged within a housing or guard" 26. a i In 1 thisform, the housing comprises two rela tively movable sections 26 and 27 which areconnected' by springs 28 that serve normally to holdthe] housing seetions in the relation shown in Figurefi with the thermometer entirely enclosed; -When itis: desired to'us'e 'the thermometer, uponwremoval of the cap or cover -29, section 27 ispressedinwaidly with-referencewto section 26, exposing the bulb" and suflicient of thebody of the ther mometer to permit of 'its'proper use, and

upon releasing: thesection 27 it quickly as sumesuthe normal relationshipshown, at? fordmg a protective casing for every part of the thermometer, a

While Ithe invention; has been disclosed withrreference to several particular embodi- 1 "ments,it is. not -eonfinedin its variousap- 40 lications t the details or arrangements shown, and this "application is intended "to cover-anymodification' or practical uses of the invention that may involve disposin a4? thermometer withina caseor guardso t' at l relative movement is permitted betweenthe thermometer and the case,- or a section o fthei move it case, ,itoexpose the 1thermom'eter ihulbw for use, the thermometer and case or guard in stantly resuming their normal relationship when releasedaa a i r 1'.;Thei rcombination with a housing, of a thermometer holder movable endwise of the housing-i al finge w pieceon the holder for l moving the same, the housing having a slot V to receivea'said finger pieee, and a s ring connecting the; housing and holderfan act ing, toreturn the holder when-releaseds T housing; of a thermometer holder movable 'endwise of the housingyactuating meansion i the holder extending 1 through the housing, it

housing, actuating means i on the "holdere tending through the housing; and a spring connecting the housing and-holderfl 4. The eombination with*a housingfofwa f5 thermometer holder gnormally located at 'one end of: the housing a nd movable- -toward the opposite endwthereof, zand conneetions p tween the holder and:housing permittingw r relative movementtoiexpose the thermomter l bulb and acting :when :the aholdei is free to totheafirsti mentioned -end of thewhousinm i: i v

5. Tie combinationiwithru housing oif a thermometer :holder .Blocated S 3 position-5; 80, p a a thermometer eentirelyw within :theg housing 1 n when not "in use, meansextendingwoutsidiei.

the housing rifor: moving the hold-en endwise 1 M 0f the housing, andlconnections between the r j holder r and: i: ihousingri :permitting l relative movement to expose the ithermometer bulb and acting when the holder is free to move it to its normal positiom with the thermom- W eterinside: the housingl In witness q -whereof, s gned'my name; n i

2. T The 1 tcombination withr a transparent i 1 have hereunto 9o sTo EBunKER-fi 

